Shirley O'Hara

Shirley A. O’Hara, passed away May 4, 2022, at her home in Catonsville, Maryland at the age of 91. Shirley was born March 29, 1931, to Francis and Esther Ratchford in Scranton Pennsylvania.  She was the middle of three children.

Shirley attended Marywood College in Scranton.  She met the love of her life, Robert B. O’Hara, in January, 1954.  They were married in April 1955. Shirley and Bob stayed in the Scranton area for a short while before moving to Old Bridge, New Jersey, and eventually settling in Bowie, Maryland to raise their family.

She was a devoted stay at home mom.  In 1980, she entered the workforce in the Prince George’s County government and retired in 1993.  Upon retirement, she and Bob moved and spent 22 wonderful years in Annapolis, Maryland and then moved to Catonsville, Maryland.

Shirley loved to read and play cards all her life. Bridge was her favorite.  She became an avid golfer and also enjoyed water aerobics. Together, she and Bob had many fun years of square dancing and bowling.  She challenged herself daily with Sudoku puzzles and most recently, Wordle.

Shirley is survived by her five children and their spouses, Robert B and Lisa (Beegle) O’Hara, Jr., Mary Beth (O’Hara) and John Saboe, Suzanne (O’Hara) Hawkins, Kathleen O’Hara, and Sharon (O’Hara) and Brian Gorgei; her nine grandchildren and their spouses, Michael and Rebecca(Ways) Hawkins; David and Elena (Owre) Dudek; Sarah Hawkins, Kelly(Dudek) and Patrick Lyon; Patrick Hunt, Emily Hunt, Ryan Hunt Caitlin Gorgei and Kelsey Gorgei and their two great grandchildren, Jackson and Austin Dudek.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Angels in Catonsville, Maryland on Monday, May 16th at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Make a Wish Foundation, https://wish.org/midatlantic or the Benevolent Fund of Charlestown. https://ccicharlestown.org/giving/benevolent-care.